BleeckerSt_Girl
07-26-2009, 09:06 AM
DH and I were almost home from our 23 mile bike ride yesterday when we saw a bike left right by the highway curb near a stretch of houses, clearly left there for anyone who wanted it. Most of these such free bikes we just pass on by because they usually need LOTS of work and money to fix back up. But this one had spent many years protected in a nice garage or basement- it is in pretty good shape! Even the double ring teeth and chain looked fairly unworn.
We have not yet cleaned or inspected it yet- hopefully no frame or bottom bracket cracks, etc. But it would need new tires and cables at least.
I can't test ride it because it's flat and needs new 27" tires, which we don't have on hand.
Anyway, it may be slightly small for me, but then again it might be ok to ride around for fun. If it's way to small I could sell it I guess. I have about 1 1/2" standover clearance- not too bad. We'll see as we clean it up and get a closer look. One funny thing was that the previous taller owner had jacked up the seatpost and the stem about 2 whole inches beyond the "Maximum Extension" marks. they 'really' must have wanted to ride that little frame!
But I insisted to my husband that we simply could NOT leave a 1970's 10 speed Bridgestone bike with Suntour components there as thoug it was a piece of garbage and not take it home. Poor thing!! I stood with it for 20 minutes while DH went home to get the car for it.
Unfortunately, it's not a lugged steel top-of-the-line Petersen-era Bridgestone beauty. It's one of their 1969-early 70's experimental stainless steel models...the "Kabuki/Submariner". It has a cool Kabuki face head badge.
Who could resist, if it was in decent shape, I ask you??
First thing I need to do (when i get a chance soon) is give it a good scrubbing so we can get a closer inspection for cracks or other problems.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3757761493_f43cd6c984.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3757760807_64572343e0.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3758556058_6ee465bb86.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3758556626_e3f8a9f014.jpg
We have not yet cleaned or inspected it yet- hopefully no frame or bottom bracket cracks, etc. But it would need new tires and cables at least.
I can't test ride it because it's flat and needs new 27" tires, which we don't have on hand.
Anyway, it may be slightly small for me, but then again it might be ok to ride around for fun. If it's way to small I could sell it I guess. I have about 1 1/2" standover clearance- not too bad. We'll see as we clean it up and get a closer look. One funny thing was that the previous taller owner had jacked up the seatpost and the stem about 2 whole inches beyond the "Maximum Extension" marks. they 'really' must have wanted to ride that little frame!
But I insisted to my husband that we simply could NOT leave a 1970's 10 speed Bridgestone bike with Suntour components there as thoug it was a piece of garbage and not take it home. Poor thing!! I stood with it for 20 minutes while DH went home to get the car for it.
Unfortunately, it's not a lugged steel top-of-the-line Petersen-era Bridgestone beauty. It's one of their 1969-early 70's experimental stainless steel models...the "Kabuki/Submariner". It has a cool Kabuki face head badge.
Who could resist, if it was in decent shape, I ask you??
First thing I need to do (when i get a chance soon) is give it a good scrubbing so we can get a closer inspection for cracks or other problems.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3757761493_f43cd6c984.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3757760807_64572343e0.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/3758556058_6ee465bb86.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3758556626_e3f8a9f014.jpg